Each and every wedding has specific elements, many elements, that make it so special to photograph.  And sometimes, every component, the details, the dress, the couple, the location (the lovely Piper Glen Golf Course), come together to just make absolute perfection- and this Saturday’s wedding, on Independence Day, was one of those.

Lisa and Michael are an incredibly beautiful couple who’s engagement session was pretty recent- in fact, I have known them in general a little bit less than some of my couples.  But I have gotten to know a lot about them in a short amount of time, and I will always be so moved by their love and commitment. By what they have endured together. By how they serve our country in different ways together, and by how all of those things came together in such a meaningful way for their 4th of July wedding. If there was ever a couple that made SENSE to be married on this Holiday, to cement their love and commit to choosing each other forever on this holiday, it is Lisa and Michael.  Their details and plans pointed constantly back to the meaning of the day, and it was absolutely lovely.  Their families are fun, the celebration was warm, and the day was absolutely perfect.  Starting with this dress…oh this dress!

Lisa is a girl after my own heart and a bargain shopper, and got this GORGEOUS veil online for a GREAT deal! Love it!

I LOVE her wedding band and it’s unique beauty.

The bouquets from Trendsetters Florals were absolutely stunning, and tied in all the little pieces of Lisa’s planning perfectly!

Time to get ready!  The awesome team from Full Blown Blow Dry Bar made the morning effortless for the ladies and of course created STUNNING hair on each of them!

Breathtaking in every way!
Lisa and Michael shared a first look, and I will never hide my adoration of these intimate, sweet moments many of my couples choose to have.  These two had SO MUCH portrait time because of it, and got to begin their time together so early (and the best part- we went STRAIGHT from the ceremony to the reception- incredible!).  Here comes Michael’s bride!

My Michael took these and I am SO proud- he got some of the best shots here!
I have SO many favorites…including this one.

Their whole day took place at the beautiful Piper Glen Golf Course in Chatham, IL, which was an absolutely beautiful location for a wedding!

Lisa’s soon to be new last name, embroidered into her dress by her mother.

I LOVE this light!!!  I’m sure you knew that already if you follow me at all. 🙂

Check out this beautiful bridal party! Loved my time with them- they made my job SO EASY, even in the heat!

Gotta let the boys be boys!

This is just an ideal ceremony location for me- hills, natural beauty, and yet such a sense of Christ still in the nature and the stunning cross.  

I loved this long walk between Lisa and her dad, and the time they got together at the alter.  Her dad, who is a super champ, and had serious surgery the night BEFORE the wedding. Wow!

So many ceremony pictures- so much beauty!

Married!!

This reception was coordinated…and planned, and decorated…by the fabulous An Event Design who has done the last 2 weddings I have shot- I am BLOWN AWAY by their work!!  Both looked so different, and both so beautiful!
I am not one to list favorites. But the style and design of Tammy at Specialty Cakes BLEW me away- it was so unique and so stunning, and so PERFECT for summer.
Time to party 🙂

During their first prayer as husband and wife!There were cake charms built into the cake for each bridesmaid- this isn’t a tradition I have seen before and I LOVED it- so sentimental and sweet!

Michael is a mama’s boy. I have one of those…so this particularly touched my heart. My Michael and I pass MANY looks during father-daughter and mother-son dances at each wedding we shoot now…as new parents, they hold SUCH different meaning where I no longer see myself as the bride- but as the mom. 

I just ADORE these two, their wedding day, and everything it represented! Their toes are in the sand right now and it is so deserved-enjoy your honeymoon reliving your PERFECT day, Lisa and Michael! Love you guys!